The temperamental white moonlight is back, and the entire Marquis's family obediently calls him

Liu Muqiu was extremely conflicted after watching such an absurd performance.

She didn't understand why her mother-in-law did this. Even if she looked down on Mu Yuan and felt that Mu Yuan was not good enough for the girl, it was still hard to understand why she did this.

However, after spending these past few months with her mother-in-law, she realized that her mother-in-law was not the malicious woman she had been before.

She was both confused and annoyed.

Lu Mingzhao said gently, "Muqiu, you should go back first. Don't overthink what happened today. Besides, although Cuilan has these little thoughts, she is still a good maid. It's a good thing that Muyuan has someone who cares about him."

"..."

"Yes, Mother is right."

Liu Muqiu tugged at the corners of her mouth, managing a somewhat forced smile.

*

"girl……"

Chu Yuan'er caught up with Zhou Ming'an and called her name repeatedly, but this time Zhou Ming'an did not stop as he had done before.

She took off running, as if she wanted to run out of the Marquis's mansion in one breath.

Her parents didn't care about her, and even her closest maid was hiding something from her: the man she loved was about to have another woman...

All of this, beyond her control, was suffocating her.

It wasn't until Chu Yuan'er struggled to catch up that she grabbed her arm.

"Girl, you don't even want to listen to me?"

Zhou Ming'an, his face streaked with tears, turned to look at her: "Aunt Chu, why did you know so quickly after Cuilan was taken away by Mother, and even notified me?"

"Why was Cuilan constantly watching your expression during her interrogation?"

"Even you're lying to me, aren't you?"

Chu Yuan'er was taken aback, and her eyes quickly welled up with tears: "An'an, why would you think of me like that?"

"I said those things today only to save you... The old lady used tricks to get Young Master Liu to admit that he had seen Cuilan."

"If Cuilan doesn't admit that she secretly fell in love with someone else, what reason would she have to meet with another man? At that point, the old lady might think you instigated it, and the blame for meeting with another man in secret would fall on your shoulders!"

"If the old lady uses this opportunity to torment you, and you don't care about yourself, I will care about you."

"Also, I have indeed been keeping an eye on you, but only because I was afraid the old lady might suddenly make a move, so I could get to your side as soon as possible..."

Chu Yuan'er burst into tears, which gradually made Zhou Ming'an withdraw his suspicious gaze.

Zhou Ming'an even felt guilty for being too hasty earlier: "...I misunderstood Aunt Chu."

Chu Yuan'er shook her head, her eyes full of tenderness as she took her hand: "But after I said those words today, I'm afraid the old lady won't be willing to keep me in the manor any longer."

"I've been thinking about leaving the Marquis's residence these days."

Zhou Ming'an panicked: "Where is Aunt Chu going? Can't you take me with you?"

Chu Yuan'er lowered her head, a glint in her eyes, and said gently, "I also want to take you away, but it's all my fault for not having the ability."

"I feel uneasy leaving the young lady alone in the manor. Otherwise, what trustworthy maidservants would she have by her side...?"

*

Lu Mingzhao watched as the group left the courtyard one after another.

She waved her hand, dismissing everyone and leaving Zhao Xianglan alone in the room before letting out a long sigh.

She had to do it.

Given her current relationship with her daughter, no matter what she says, her daughter won't listen.

But Lu Mingzhao was certain that both Cuilan and Liu Muyuan had a great relationship with Chu Yuan'er.

If that's the case, then she can't be sure whether Liu Muyuan had pure motives when he first approached An'an.

Even if Liu Muyuan stayed at the Marquis's residence under some pretext, it's possible he had ulterior motives.

Even if Liu Muyuan later shows that he likes An'an, Lu Mingzhao would never entrust his daughter to such a heartless and unfeeling person.

But if she were to tell her daughter directly, her daughter would obviously not listen, and might even think that she was intentionally trying to break them up and didn't want her daughter to be happy.

Therefore, Lu Mingzhao could only use this method to cut off any possibility between An'an and Liu Muyuan.

The maidservant married her sweetheart. With this strange relationship, it would be difficult for the two of them to take things further.

Of course, her actions were bound to cause her daughter to misunderstand.

Between her daughter's trust and her daughter's future, she could only choose the latter.

Even if An'an resents or blames her because of this, she has no choice but to do it, otherwise her daughter will be hurt even more by Liu Muyuan in the future.

Zhao Xianglan was still in shock.

But as her masters left, she gradually came to her senses and guessed the old lady's intention in doing so.

She paused, then tentatively asked, "Madam, should we find a pretext to get Young Master Liu out of the manor?"

Lu Mingzhao said calmly, "No rush."

After today's incident, Liu Muyuan himself probably can no longer stay in the Marquis's mansion.

Without her invitation, Liu Muyuan would likely leave on his own in a few days. Why should she risk being branded as mean and causing Muqiu any worry?

Even if Liu Muyuan continued to stay in the mansion, he dared not leave the courtyard again.

Zhao Xianglan sighed softly, "But young lady... I'm afraid you'll be heartbroken again."

Lu Mingzhao lowered his eyes.

Yes, it took her a lot of effort to build up her daughter's trust in her, and even though it was only a little, it was already a huge step forward.

But all that trust vanished in an instant today. How can one not be discouraged?

Although she comforted herself, at least she had protected her daughter, and that was enough.

However, when Zhou Ningchuan returned that evening, he still noticed something amiss.

Lu Mingzhao had no choice but to tell Zhou Ningchuan everything that had happened that day.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ningchuan's expression gradually darkened.

Lu Mingzhao guessed what he wanted to do and quickly grabbed his arm.

"Don't you dare send Liu Muyuan away or interrogate him. It wouldn't be good if An'an found out."

It's enough that their daughter hates him. If Zhou Ningchuan does anything else, she'll probably hate him too. In that case, neither of them will be able to talk to their daughter.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ningchuan rubbed his forehead and sighed, "Never mind..."

Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he looked up and said, "He won't listen to the two of us. What if we let Duan Tianyin do it?"

Lu Mingzhao blinked, thinking that it might actually work.

Judging from her daughter's recent reactions, she seems to really like her master, Duan Tianyin.

After discussing it, the two decided to have Duan Tianyin subtly hint at it, and also to encourage their daughter to go out more often to clear her mind, so that she might forget about Liu Muyuan soon.

"However, Chu Yuan'er... we absolutely cannot let her continue to stay in the manor," Zhou Ningchuan said solemnly.

The reason I kept Chu Yuan'er in the mansion before was for the sake of my wife's reputation.

Several months have passed, and Chu Yuan'er has not only not calmed down, but has intensified her troubles, even conspiring with outsiders.

If Zhou Ningchuan continues to tolerate her staying in the mansion, he is essentially allowing her to destroy his family.

This time, Lu Mingzhao did not refuse.

If it weren't for Chu Yuan'er's deceased father, she wouldn't have been able to keep backing down.

If this happened in the village, she would have overturned the table and beaten up the person who was trying to sow discord between her and her child.

She almost couldn't resist hitting him just now.

Lu Mingzhao sighed softly, "It's just a pity... I'm afraid I won't be able to spend my first New Year back with An'an happily."